18th Century Gay Underworld

Life in Georgian England, particularly in London, has been described as an erotic “golden age”, comparable to pre-AIDS San Francisco.

After the dreary, repressed years that preceeded, there was an explosion of frank and hedonistic sexual encounters before the shutters came down with the turn of the century and the advent of “Victorian” values. 

This film explores one of the most intriguing secret strata of the 18th century world - the remarkable gay 'scene' that flourished through all levels of society, from the 'Molly-Houses' or gay brothels where sex was readily available, to the public figures with long-term hidden partners. The film also reveals the less well-known existence of lesbian activity in the 18th century and explores a number of well-documented cases of “tommies” - female transvestites, women who attempted to live, work and even marry as men.


A DIVERSE PRODUCTIONS Production